The Unusual Twists And Turns In The Gowanus Canal Saga: Buddy Scotto's Media Blitz

The waters of the Gowanus Canal with raw sewage and garbage

Buddy Scotto:

"There's no question the canal is clean enough now to support development"
(NY Post)

The saga of the Gowanus Canal has more twists and turns than its one and a half mile shoreline. Just last week, the EPA proposed to add the heavily polluted canal to its Superfund National Priority list, which would funnel federal money towards a clean-up.

That would seem like great news to a man who, for decades, worked hard to get the Gowanus Canal cleaned up. But that does not seem to be the case.

Buddy Scotto, long time Carroll Gardens activist and business owner, and founder of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation has advocated for decades for a cleaner canal. However, these days, he seems to be more concerned with any delay to development along the canal, especially the Toll Brothers.
The national developer recently secured a spot-rezoning for a two block area along the canal from manufacturing to residential. This is in advance of a New York City Planning rezoning for the entire canal area.
Mr. Scotto is an outspoken backer of the Toll Brothers Project.

Mr. Scotto always poo pooed skeptics who argued that the canal should be cleaned thoroughly before housing is built on its shores. He stuck to his "if more people move in, it will be cleaned" approach. Now that the canal may actually get the thorough remediation it needs, Scotto is complaining to the media that placing the Gowanus on the Superfund list would delay development.

As one area resident remarked on Mr. Scotto's quotes in the news:

"Just because credible builders are interested in investing along the Gowanus, doesn't mean that the canal's pollution issues don't need to be addressed and cleaned up. He goes on and on about finding typhoid germs, etc., in the canal, and now he doesn't want it cleaned up. Go figure."

Lately, all emphasis has been on development with only vague assurances that clean up would come later. Now we may finally have a definite commitment to the clean up which should logically come first. We will find out how this will work and how long it will take and a decision will be made on scientific grounds. This has to be good for the community and city. Who would seriously oppose concrete plans for a clean up ? Who wouldn't prefer to live next to a clean canal rather than a polluted one ? Who really believes that a clean up wouldn't make the whole area more valuable ? Haven't we had enough "fast buck" problems ?

Buddy Scotto as quoted in the media last week:

"This is going to stand in the way of so many developments. The designation might scare off all of these private developers.” ( The Brooklyn Paper)

"There are political people who, for their own reasons, don't want development to happen on the Gowanus Canal" ( Daily News)

“We want to make sure they’re not precluded from building. Can the government work with the private sector? This has to be worked out.” ( The New York Times)


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Hey Neighbor! Pardon Me For Asking, But...

Dear Reader,

The new "question of the week" feature on Pardon Me For Asking is a great success according to your comments and emails. So far, I asked you what restaurant you would miss most if you ever had to move away from Carroll Gardens. Then, last week, I wanted to know what your favorite neighborhood bakery was.
Well, I can only say, you guys are passionate about your bread. Which brings me to this week's question. So...

Won't you please, please, please answer this question?

I would so like to hear your answer.

Ready?

Here it is:


Who makes the very best fresh Mozzarella in the neighborhood?

This should be interesting.

*****************

Just saw that this post has been linked to the New York Times, so I am inviting all New Yorkers to share their source for the best Mozzarella in the entire city.

***************

If you have a great idea for a 'question of the week', please send it to me at pardonmeinbrooklyn at gmail dot com. I may just use it in the coming weeks.





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Picture Of The Day: Easter Eggs And Flamingos

I did try, dear Reader,
to come up with a possible relationship
between Easter eggs and flamingos,
but then decided,
it did not much matter that there was none.

The unusual window decoration combo
made me smile.
That's good enough for me.

A Moment In Time: 'Taxi'

Spring Evening In Carroll Gardens

I was actually focusing my lens on the graffitied truck in front of Rite Aid,
when she walked into the intersection.
I think she may have hoped to hail a Taxi.

Carroll Gardens Easter Tradition: Good Friday Procession And Marzipan Lambs

Every Easter, these marzipan lambs appear in the window of Court Street Pastry. I especially like the little Italian and American flags sticking out of the fake grass.
Yes, Carroll Gardens may be changing, but there are still signs that this is an Italian neighborhood.

If you need further proof, you may want to check out the Sacred Hearts/ Saint Stephen Church Good Friday Procession. Here is further information from the parish's web site.

The Procession begins at 7 P.M. from the front of Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Church (Hicks and Summit Streets) and concludes in the Church for a brief prayer service, in Italian, after winding its way through the crowded streets of the neighborhood.

Italian Catholics from the Tri-State area return home annually to Brooklyn’s oldest Italian Parish, Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church, to solemnly process through the streets of Carroll Gardens marking the Holyday of Good Friday. While the area has seen much change since the parish’s founding by Italian immigrants in 1882, this time honored tradition and devotion continues to be a staple of what Carroll Gardens is all about.
This tradition has persevered thanks to the dedicated family and organizations that consider their customs sacred and time honored. Sacred Italian Catholics from the Tri-State area return home annually to Brooklyn’s oldest Italian Parish, Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church, to solemnly process through the streets of Carroll Gardens marking the Holy day of Good Friday. While the area has seen much change since the parish’s founding by Italian immigrants in 1882, this time honored tradition and devotion continues to be a staple of what Carroll Gardens is all about.
Sacred Hearts along with the Congrega SS Addolorata have carried the difficult task of preserving their Italian heritage through this and many other services and traditions in the face of an ever changing demographic for the past 125 years. Hearts along with the Congrega SS Addolorata have carried the difficult task of preserving their Italian heritage through this and many other services and traditions in the face of an ever changing demographic for the past 125 years.

Knit One, Purl One With 'Sweet Melissa's' Mom On Court Street

Knitting At Sweet Melissa

Now that is a very nice combination: knitting and pastries. What can be better.
Melissa's mom Pam is hosting a knitting group at her daughter's patisserie on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM.

Sweet Melissa is located at 276 Court Street.
For further info and to rsvp, emails: info at sweetmelissapatisserie dot com



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Picture Of The Day: Blossoms On Clinton Street

Every spring, I make a point of walking down Clinton Street,
at the corner of Union,
to check on a row of sweet little weeping cherry trees
that bloom beautifully for just a few days.
Despite the unusually cold April weather,
the pale pink flowers were just opening.

Carroll Gardens' Back Yard In The Middle Of The Night

Carroll Gardens Back Yard At 3 AM

What to do when your little one is getting her molars and is keeping you awake at night? You look outside and notice the moon...grab your camera and head into the back yard to capture the moment.

That's what happened to Carroll Gardener Alexandrea. And these are the beautiful photos she took at 3 AM. Thanks for sharing them, Alexandrea. I hope sleep returns to your household soon.

Gowanus Canal Proposed For EPA Superfund List

Cleaning up the Gowanus Canal:
Finally, Forward Movement

At Monday's Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association meeting, a tentative announcement was made by representatives of our local elected officials that the Gowanus Canal was possibly going to be added to the EPA Superfund list.
As of today, it is official:
Here is the E.P.A. press release which was sent out by Tom Gray, District Director for Council Member Bill DeBlasio. Below is more information.

Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn Proposed for EPA Superfund List

(New York, N.Y.—Apr. 8, 2009) – Thanks to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to add Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal to the Agency’s Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), the waterway will once again become an asset to local residents. The proposed listing would allow the Agency to further investigate contamination at the site and develop an approach to address this contamination. The Gowanus Canal is severely impacted by contaminated sediments as a result of its history hosting heavy industry. EPA is asking for public input on its proposal to list the Gowanus Canal.

“By proposing to list the Gowanus Canal, EPA can ensure that a thorough investigation into the source and extent of the contamination can take place,” said Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou. “The sooner we get the listing underway, the sooner EPA can begin its work, so that one day the Gowanus Canal can be used again to benefit the people of Brooklyn.”

The 100-foot wide canal extends about 1.8 miles from Butler Street to Gowanus Bay in Brooklyn, New York. The adjacent waterfront is primarily commercial and industrial, and consists of concrete plants, warehouses, and parking lots, with proposed residential use. The canal is also surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The waterway is used for commercial as well as recreational purposes, and a public fishing area just downstream of the canal in Gowanus Bay is fished daily.

The canal was built in the 19^th century to allow industrial access into Gowanus Bay. After its completion in the 1860s, the canal became a busy industrial waterway, acting as the home to heavy industries, including manufactured gas plants, coal yards, concrete-mixing facilities, tanneries, chemical plants, and oil refineries. It was also the repository of untreated industrial wastes, raw sewage and runoff.

Although most of the industrial activity along the canal has stopped, high contaminant levels remain in the sediments. The extent of the contamination traverses the length of the canal. Sampling has shown the sediments in the Gowanus Canal to be contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals and volatile organic contaminants (VOCs), and significant contamination associated with coal tar.

With the proposal of this site to the NPL, a 60-day comment period will begin during which EPA solicits public input regarding this action. For instructions to submit comments go to http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/pubcom.htm or contact Dennis Munhall, Region 2 NPL Coordinator at (212) 637-4343 or munhall.dennis@epa.gov. Once the site is placed on the NPL, EPA will expand its investigations to further define the nature and extent of contamination.

To date, there have been 1,596 sites listed on the NPL. Of these sites, 332 have been deleted resulted in 1,264 sites currently on the NPL. There are now 67 proposed sites awaiting final agency action. There are a total of 1,332 final and proposed sites around the country.

To find out more about the NPL Site Listing Process, visit: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/npl_hrs.htm. For a Google Earth aerial view of the Gowanus Canal: http://www.epa.gov/region2/kml/gowanus_creek_and_gowanus_canal.kmz. (Please note that you must have Google Earth installed on your computer to view the map. To download Google Earth, visit http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html).

Next week, there will be an informational meeting on the nomination. Here is the info:

Informational meeting regarding the nomination of the Canal for Superfunds
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Invite you to a:

A Public Information Forum with
US EPA
Regarding the Gowanus Canal Nomination for Superfund

Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 PM

PS 32 Auditorium 317 Hoyt Street (between Union & President Streets)

Bring Your Questions

US Environmental Protection Agency
Will explain how the Superfund program works
and nomination process

Gowanus Skate "Grind" At Douglass Greene Park

This just in from The Friends of Douglass/Greene Park. Check out their great Gowanus "Grind" Event.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Gather up your family and friends and head over to Thomas Greene Park on Third Avenue between Douglass and Degraw for skateboarding and other activities at
the Gowanus Grind, on Saturday, April 25 (raindate, April 26). There will be live music, art activities, a free skate board clinic sponsored by Homage, the skate board shop on Smith Street and recreation and food, donated by the Wyckoff Houses Tenants Association and Building on Bond. Activities, including live music will take place between 11 AM and 4 PM.

Something for everyone! If you are not a skate border - enjoy the food from "Building on Bond" - watch the amazing skate borders & the cute (little) kids learning to skateboard during the skateboard clinic - enjoy music of 4 bands!

For more information, about Friends of Douglass Greene Park, see the website: http://www.friendsofdouglassgreenepark.org/


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A Moment In Time: Taking A Break

He seemed perfectly content
parked at a corner of Court Street,
watching people walk by.

Brooklyn Construction Workers In 1908

How cool is this photo?
I have no information other than this: These are Brooklyn construction workers back in 1908. The two suits are obviously foremen.
I somehow doubt that these were union workers...

"Nature" On Columbia Street

On the Columbia waterfront,
against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline
and the shipping containers,
a predator stalks his victim...

without much success.

Feeding The Rats Of Court And Union Streets

Frosted or glazed: Tuesday's 'trashed' donut selection

Now, pardon me for asking, but what genius thought it appropriate to dump a huge pile of donuts along the blue construction fence on Union Street off Court Street?
What exactly is the purpose here? To feed the rats so that they can happily multiply?
Don't we have enough rodents running around the hood?

The rudeness of people in this city never ceases to amaze me.

(Thanks for the photos, V.)



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A Moment In Time: Threesome In The Rain

The threesome crossed Union Street,
careful to avoid puddles.
No matter.
It was impossible to stay dry yesterday.

After Heavy Rains Of Last Few Days, Something Funky Is Floating On The Gowanus Canal

The stench coming from the Gowanus Canal yesterday was rather nasty. I held my nose as I walked over the Union Street bridge. Looking down into the fetid waters of the Gowanus Canal, I could see some incredibly foul stuff floating on the surface. It was raw sewage.

This, of course, is the result of yesterday's and Friday's torrential rains. There, floating by, was the discharge of the storm waters and the domestic sewage that is dumped into the canal from the sewer system's Combined Sewer Overflow points.

This happens every time the city's waste water treatment plants cannot retain and treat large volumes of waste.

I apologize for bringing up such a nasty subject, dear readers. It's just that New York City wants to rezone the Gowanus Canal area from manufacturing to residential. Just a few weeks ago, Toll Brothers, a national development company, was granted a spot-rezoning for a two-block area along the Gowanus so that they can build a residential project on its shores.

Somehow, bringing more people to the Gowanus is supposed to give the city the impetus to fix the sewer problem it has neglected for decades.

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Cherry Blossoms Blooming At Botanical Gardens

Cherry Blossoms
Botanical Gardens
by Jeff Miles

Reminder to self: must go to Botanical Gardens to see the cherry blossoms.
I had wanted to fit it in on Sunday, however, I didn't quite make it.
But friend Jeff Miles did, and judging by his beautiful shot, the blossoms were amazing.

The Gowanus As Seen Through The Lens Of Artist Frank Shifreen

This beautiful photograph was taken by Frank Shifreen, the artist, who organized an outdoor art show entitled "The Monument Redefined" on Public Place back in 1982.
It is such a stunning photo that I asked him if I could post it here.
Frank writes:

I took it from the Lowes Lot looking at the Bridge in the Autumn, I think late October. You know how I love the Gowanus Canal. But it looked Dutch, like a Van Gogh almost. It was in the morning and I was picking up supplies for the day.

Related:

Once Upon A Time On The Shores Of The Gowanus: Frank Shifreen And "The Monument Redefined " Show

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Tonight, Gelf's 'Media Circus' In Dumbo

This is where I am going tonight. An interesting subject and impressive panel, its free AND its in Brooklyn!
More from the host, Gelf Magazine

Introducing Media Circus, a new monthly speaking series from Gelf held at JLA Studios in DUMBO, Brooklyn—only one subway stop away from Manhattan! We'll be covering the media industry from the inside out with speakers from a different field every month.
The inaugural event is devoted to media critics and how the press covers and consumes itself, especially in tough times. As the media is headed off a cliff, these are the people narrating the free fall.
You can read interviews with our featured speakers Jeff Bercovici, media critic for Portfolio.com; noted author and media writer Seth Mnookin; and Hamilton Nolan, Gawker's media critic. The work of local artists will be on display as well.

More on the event and directions, click on Gelf Magazine

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A Moment In Time: The Morning Chat

By mid-morning, they have gathered,
standing in a small group in front of D'Amico's on Court Street,
chatting away intently.

In 1966, Vita Realty Was.....

More from Carroll Gardens in 1966, extracted from a St. Stephen' s parish 'souvenir journal' commemorating its 100th birthday.
On the last few pages, there are wonderful congratulatory messages, some from local stores. The one above is from Romeo's Food Center, and American- Italian food center that was operating out of 317 Court Street at this time.
The proprietors were S. Zerilli and A. Caracciola
Today the storefront is home of Vita Realty.

Does anyone remember Romeo's or its two owners? Any detail would be greatly appreciated.




My thanks go to Joe Alameda of Perfect Corner for lending me the St. Stephen's book.


Related Reading:
In 1966, The Carroll Gardens Fish Market Was...


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At Bob Guskind's Memorial

'Taking Flight Over the Gowanus Canal'
I took this photo back in February. Bob linked it to Gowanus Lounge
almost immediately. It would be one of the last times.

Memorials are always full of emotion. Celebrating someone's life after their passing is bittersweet and a wonderful tribute. Bob Guskind's memorial on Saturday at the Lycéum was exactly that, and so much more.
Organized by his dear friends Norman ( Atlantic Yards Report), Heather ( New York Shitty), Chris ( (Flatbush Gardener), Susan ( Park Slope Parents), Phil (New York Community Council) and many others, it was a lovely gathering to honor the author of Gowanus Lounge.

So many of his fellow bloggers attended. Some knew him personally, some had only corresponded with him. All feel his absence keenly. His blog was an online 'lounge' where Brooklynites who felt that their beloved borough was being taken over by the interests of politicians and developers could gather and exchange ideas.
And Bob was the perfect host, posting tirelessly, finding Brooklyn's beauty in the most decaying places and delighting in its many quirks.

Through all the wonderful tributes, a portrait of Bob emerged: that of a highly intelligent, talented and giving man, who may have had to battle his inner self just a bit more than the rest of us.

During the memorial, I had the incredible pleasure of meeting one of Bob's dearest and oldest friends, Marc Farre. We had exchanged a few emails after Bob's passing and it was clear that he was a kindred spirit. Meeting him in person yesterday confirmed this immediately.

I was also delighted to see Kristin (and her adorable baby daughter) of Best View In Brooklyn Louise of Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, Nate Kensinger of Nate Kensinger Photography, Lumi of No Land Grab , Brooks of Lost City , Triada Samaris of C.O.R.D., Jake of Gothamist, Lockhart of Curbed, to name just a very few.